Researchers in Taiwan have found acupuncture to be as effective as steroids for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
Seventy-seven patients were randomly assigned to receive either prednisolone for four weeks (20mg daily for two weeks then 10mg daily for two weeks), or acupuncture delivered in eight sessions over four weeks. Both groups showed considerable improvement, with no statistically significant difference between the two, but at week four, the acupuncture group showed a significant decrease in night time waking.
(Acupuncture in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Clin Journal Pain 2009 May)